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Retaining Range of MotionLoading...
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Practical Knowledge Sharing for Overcoming the Daily Challenges of Living with ALS
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By St. Louis ALS Association Caregiversfor ALS Caregivers
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Overview
2
Introduction
3
Who We Are
Keep Your Body Moving:
Retaining Range of Motion
Retaining Range of Motion
We are not experts. We are not vendors.
We are a community of current or previous care givers who have experienced this disease personally and have battled ALS 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We had to “learn on the job”. We immersed ourselves in all available information resources and in people networks seeking practical solutions to help us manage daily living challenges.
We are a community of current or previous care givers who have experienced this disease personally and have battled ALS 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We had to “learn on the job”. We immersed ourselves in all available information resources and in people networks seeking practical solutions to help us manage daily living challenges.
THIS BOOK WILL BENEFIT: Everyone who wants to keep their functionality for as long as possible
THIS BOOK INCLUDES:
● Overview
● Head & Neck
● Arms & Hands
● Legs & Feet
● Muscle Stiffening, Spasms, Cramps
● Therapy
● Workouts
● Head & Neck
● Arms & Hands
● Legs & Feet
● Muscle Stiffening, Spasms, Cramps
● Therapy
● Workouts
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What This Is Not: This is not a therapy or group counseling session. This is not a vendor sales pitch or health care experts providing “book based” advice.
What This Is: Time is not our friend. We don’t have the luxury to learn from our own mistakes and benefit from our own experiences. We must band together and share our learnings (good and bad) creating a collective foundation of real, practical, “life-learned” experiences that exponentially advances everyone. Together, let’s enable everyone facing ALS to more quickly gain tangible and practical ideas to overcome every day challenges. This is a forum to both listen and learn. Until there is a cure, let’s continuously update these materials with our collective experiences providing a springboard of learning to everyone facing down this disease. Last revision 11/3/23.
If you have learnings to share or would like to join our efforts, email learnings@ALSCaregivers.org
What This Is: Time is not our friend. We don’t have the luxury to learn from our own mistakes and benefit from our own experiences. We must band together and share our learnings (good and bad) creating a collective foundation of real, practical, “life-learned” experiences that exponentially advances everyone. Together, let’s enable everyone facing ALS to more quickly gain tangible and practical ideas to overcome every day challenges. This is a forum to both listen and learn. Until there is a cure, let’s continuously update these materials with our collective experiences providing a springboard of learning to everyone facing down this disease. Last revision 11/3/23.
If you have learnings to share or would like to join our efforts, email learnings@ALSCaregivers.org
3
Who We Are
We are not experts. We are not vendors.
We are a community of current or previous care givers who have experienced this disease personally and have battled ALS 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We had to “learn on the job”. We immersed ourselves in all available information resources and in people networks seeking practical solutions to help us manage daily living challenges.
We are a community of current or previous care givers who have experienced this disease personally and have battled ALS 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We had to “learn on the job”. We immersed ourselves in all available information resources and in people networks seeking practical solutions to help us manage daily living challenges.
The Purpose of This Book
What This Is Not: This is not a therapy or group counseling session. This is not a vendor sales pitch or health care experts providing “book based” advice.
What This Is: Time is not our friend. We don’t have the luxury to learn from our own mistakes and benefit from our own experiences. We must band together and share our learnings (good and bad) creating a collective foundation of real, practical, “life-learned” experiences that exponentially advances everyone. Together, let’s enable everyone facing ALS to more quickly gain tangible and practical ideas to overcome every day challenges. This is a forum to both listen and learn. Until there is a cure, let’s continuously update these materials with our collective experiences providing a springboard of learning to everyone facing down this disease. Last revision 11/3/23.
If you have learnings to share or would like to join our efforts, email learnings@ALSCaregivers.org
What This Is: Time is not our friend. We don’t have the luxury to learn from our own mistakes and benefit from our own experiences. We must band together and share our learnings (good and bad) creating a collective foundation of real, practical, “life-learned” experiences that exponentially advances everyone. Together, let’s enable everyone facing ALS to more quickly gain tangible and practical ideas to overcome every day challenges. This is a forum to both listen and learn. Until there is a cure, let’s continuously update these materials with our collective experiences providing a springboard of learning to everyone facing down this disease. Last revision 11/3/23.
If you have learnings to share or would like to join our efforts, email learnings@ALSCaregivers.org
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Overview
5
Purpose
Purpose (Continued)
◼ Range of Motion describes how far the pALS can move a joint or muscle in various directions (both on their own "active ROM" or with help "passive ROM".
◼ Body movement is the key to remaining independent and mobile for as long as possible. While exercise won’t stop muscles from weakening over time, it can enable optimal functionality and essential range of motion.
◼ Adequate joint range of motion is crucial for efficient movement and is essential for functional mobility. Bones, ligaments, and tendons support each joint in the body, enabling the pALS to move within a specific range. With a good range of motion, the pALS joints move easily and comfortably, and their limbs function properly enabling a higher quality of life.
◼ If a pALS has limited range of motion in one or more joints, their body's will compensate placing more stress on the other joints or muscles. This results in greater risk of injury, pain and reduced overall mobility.
◼ Reduced range of motion in pALS has been linked to depression.
◼ Body movement is the key to remaining independent and mobile for as long as possible. While exercise won’t stop muscles from weakening over time, it can enable optimal functionality and essential range of motion.
◼ Adequate joint range of motion is crucial for efficient movement and is essential for functional mobility. Bones, ligaments, and tendons support each joint in the body, enabling the pALS to move within a specific range. With a good range of motion, the pALS joints move easily and comfortably, and their limbs function properly enabling a higher quality of life.
◼ If a pALS has limited range of motion in one or more joints, their body's will compensate placing more stress on the other joints or muscles. This results in greater risk of injury, pain and reduced overall mobility.
◼ Reduced range of motion in pALS has been linked to depression.
◼ Muscle shortening and tightening "contractures" develop when muscles, ligaments, and tendons around a joint lose elasticity, causing pain and preventing normal movement. Deformity can occur when the join locks permanently into one position.
Audio - Caregiver Perspective: Retaining Range of Motion
5
Purpose (Continued)
◼ Muscle shortening and tightening "contractures" develop when muscles, ligaments, and tendons around a joint lose elasticity, causing pain and preventing normal movement. Deformity can occur when the join locks permanently into one position.
Video: PALS & Caregiver Stretching Routine
Audio - Caregiver Perspective: Retaining Range of Motion
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Overview
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Overview (Continued)
Purpose
Cautions
◼ Range of motion exercises / stretching improves and retains function in the joint and prevents contracture deformity. It can also be helpful in warding off muscle spasms.
◼ Stretching can be done sitting in a wheelchair or lying in a bed.
◼ Correctly executed range of motion exercises can help:
◼ Stretching can be done sitting in a wheelchair or lying in a bed.
◼ Correctly executed range of motion exercises can help:
● Improve strength and flexibility.
● Reduce pain and discomfort.
● Lessen stiffness.
● Improve the pALS mood.
● Reduce pain and discomfort.
● Lessen stiffness.
● Improve the pALS mood.
◼ Stretching improves blood flow in the body and, in turn, circulates more nutrients throughout the body.
◼ A regular stretching program will help the pALS stay active and retain independence as long as possible. Flexibility is the secret sauce that enables to continue to move safely and easily. The way the pALS stays limber is to stretch.
◼ A regular stretching program will help the pALS stay active and retain independence as long as possible. Flexibility is the secret sauce that enables to continue to move safely and easily. The way the pALS stays limber is to stretch.